How can faculty and staff get involved?

We are seeking more opportunities for students to participate in job shadows.  If you have contacts you think would lead to a great opportunity for students, please send them our way!

Feel free to contact Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning with any questions or suggestions regarding businesses or agencies you would like to see become part of the program.

What is Give Me 5?

To provide students a dynamic, hands-on look at how businesses and organizations run from the front office to behind-the-scene operations, we believe in taking the student out of the classroom to facilitate a work-based learning experience. Give Me 5 is a 5-hour job shadow opportunity for students to observe professionals in action and help them gain a clearer understanding of potential career pathways, see what a professional workplace environment is like, and build their networks. Our “ask” is for 5 hours of your time to integrate a student into your business to spark a career passion.  Job shadows can occur in 5-hour blocks, or in multiple, shorter blocks, depending on schedules of Employer Hosts and students.

New for 2027! We are expanding to include a shorter 2-hour, remote version of the program for organizations outside our area to share their experience with students.  Students will be coached on conducting ‘Informational Interviews’ via video conference.  Employer Hosts will meet with students and can choose to arrange meetings with colleagues, conduct a virtual office tour, or other activity they deem appropriate.  

Benefits of Give Me 5

• Enhances company reputations
• Provides insights into potential employee fit
• Offers early training opportunities
• Fosters networking
• Acts as a working interview
• Allows companies to gauge a candidate’s readiness

Additional Details

Organizations participating in Give Me 5 allow students to explore a future career by spending 5 hours in April-May in a job shadow. Students will be matched with an organization in an industry of their choice and will attend an orientation to help them prepare for the experience.  Employer Hosts are also asked to attend a brief (<30 minute) orientation to discuss expectations and possible schedules.  Job shadows are unpaid experiences.

What is the difference between Give Me 5 and WIN?

WIN – WOU Internship Network- is a paid internship program focused on building student’s professional skills and learning how to apply what they’ve learned in a classroom setting to a professional setting. However, we understand that it is not always possible to commit to hosting a summer intern. Therefore, Give Me 5, our job shadow program, offers a flexible alternative that still allows you to engage with emerging talent and contribute to student development. Designed to be shorter in duration and offered during the academic year, our Give Me 5 program is ideal for employers who would like to get involved, but are not yet ready to offer a full internship experience.  While our summer internship program remains the flagship opportunity for deeper involvement, the job shadowing program provides a valuable way to stay connected, support student growth, and benefit from fresh perspectives on a schedule that works for you!  To learn more about WIN visit HERE.  

Can your business help develop tomorrow’s employees by partnering with education?

If your answer is “YES,” then welcome to the Give Me 5 program! We’re looking for businesses and industry professionals eager to build a relationship with Western Oregon University to grow and develop skilled workers.

Invest in your community and your future workforce — for just 5 hours, you can open a pathway for students to explore your industry and start building your own talent pipeline.

Fill out the interest form here!

What is Give Me 5?

To provide students a dynamic, hands-on look at how businesses and organizations run from the front office to behind-the-scene operations, we believe in taking the student out of the classroom to facilitate a work-based learning experience. Give Me 5 is a 5-hour job shadow opportunity for students to observe professionals in action and help them gain a clearer understanding of potential career pathways, see what a professional workplace environment is like, and build their networks. Our “ask” is for 5 hours of your time to integrate a student into your business to spark a career passion.  Job shadows can occur in 5-hour blocks, or in multiple, shorter blocks, depending on schedules of Employer Hosts and students.

New for 2027! We are expanding to include a shorter 2-hour, remote version of the program for alumni outside our area to share their experience with fellow Wolves.  Students will be coached on conducting ‘Informational Interviews’ via video conference.  Employer Hosts will meet with students and can choose to arrange meetings with colleagues, conduct a virtual office tour, or other activity they deem appropriate.  

Benefits of Give Me 5

• Enhances company reputations
• Provides insights into potential employee fit
• Offers early training opportunities
• Fosters networking
• Acts as a working interview
• Allows companies to gauge a candidate’s readiness

Additional Details

Organizations participating in Give Me 5 allow students to explore a future career by spending 5 hours in April-May in a job shadow. Students will be matched with an organization in an industry of their choice and will attend an orientation to help them prepare for the experience.  Employer Hosts are also asked to attend a brief (<30 minute) orientation to discuss expectations and possible schedules.  Job shadows are unpaid experiences.

What is the difference between Give Me 5 and WIN?

WIN – WOU Internship Network- is a paid internship program focused on building students’ professional skills and learning how to apply what they’ve learned in a classroom setting to a professional solutions. However, we understand that it is not always possible to commit to hosting a summer intern. Give Me 5 offers a flexible alternative that still allows you to engage with emerging talent and contribute to student development. Designed to be shorter in duration and offered during the academic year, Give Me 5 is ideal for employers who would like to get involved, but are not yet ready to offer a full internship experience.  While our summer internship program remains the flagship opportunity for deeper involvement, a job shadow provides a valuable way to stay connected, support student growth, and benefit from fresh perspectives on a schedule that works for you! 

To learn more about WIN visit HERE.  

Can your business help develop tomorrow’s employees by partnering with education?

If your answer is “YES,” then welcome to the Give Me 5 program! We’re looking for businesses and industry professionals eager to build a relationship with Western Oregon University to grow and develop skilled workers.

Invest in your community and your future workforce — for just 5 hours, you can open a pathway for students to explore your industry and start building your own talent pipeline.

Fill out the interest form here!